New company seeks permission from Rhode Island to operate Prudence Island ferry

Alex Kuffner Journal Staff Writer kuffneralex

Tuesday

Oct 29, 2013 at 9:49 PM

WARWICK — With uncertainty swirling around the future of the current ferry service to Prudence Island, a group of residents of the small island in Narragansett Bay have stepped forward with a proposal...

WARWICK — With uncertainty swirling around the future of the current ferry service to Prudence Island, a group of residents of the small island in Narragansett Bay have stepped forward with a proposal to run their own ferry to and from the mainland.

The new company, A & R Marine, is a partnership between five year-round and part-time residents of the island that has a total population of only 150 people. They are seeking permission from state regulators to start running a ferry service between Bristol and the island, which is not connected by bridge to the rest of Rhode Island.

“We understand the needs of the people to get back and forth,” Stephen Antaya, the president of the new company and the owner of a home on the island, testified on Tuesday at the state Division of Public Utilities and Carriers. “We know it is a lifeline connection.”

But his company’s plan comes as the owner of the Prudence Island Ferry, the current provider of service to the island, says he has recommitted to continuing his business after announcing just a few months ago that he would cease operations on Dec. 1.

Now, some residents of the island are raising concerns that there are too few customers to support two ferry companies and that competition would eventually force both out of business, effectively cutting off the island.

“If we are approving a second carrier, I’m afraid it will mean the demise of both,” longtime resident Don Friswell said at the hearing.

The application from A & R Marine comes after doubts arose about the viability of the Prudence Island Ferry, the only connection apart from private boats to the island, which is part of Portsmouth.

Prudence Island Ferry owner Bruce Medley announced last April that he would cease operations in December. According to island residents, the announcement came after doubts were raised about legislation introduced in the last General Assembly session that Medley supported that would have removed his ferry service from the oversight of the DPUC.

The bill failed to progress and Medley recanted his earlier statement, but the damage was done. The Town of Portsmouth solicited proposals from alternative ferry operators. And some islanders say they lost confidence in Medley’s operation, which they were already dissatisfied with because his ferry has no public restroom and lacks heat in the winter.

“I don’t know if he understands how much he hurt people when he did that,” Matthew Rossi, a partner in A & R Marine, testified.

Concerns have also been raised about a proposal voiced by Medley to move the mainland landing point from Bristol to Fall River, Mass. Nothing has come of that proposal.

Four companies registered interest in creating a new ferry service but only one — A & R Marine — filed an application with the DPUC for the necessary certificate of public convenience and necessity.

A & R, which would invest $1.1 million in its operation, must demonstrate that it is fit, willing and able to provide ferry service to the island. And because of Medley’s vow to continue operations, the startup company must also prove that the Prudence Island Ferry service is currently inadequate or will be in the future.

The new company does not own a ferry but has a tentative agreement to buy one, said Antaya. The ferry will be captained by Rossi’s son, Ethan, who holds the proper license. Antaya testified that the company will be ready to start service when Medley’s lease on a dock in Bristol ends on June 14. Service, he said, will not be interrupted.

Medley was at the hearing, but did not testify before proceedings ended for the day. They will be continued on a later date that has yet to be scheduled.

“We stand by our record,” he said after the hearing. “It’s impeccable.”

Of the eight islanders who gave public comment, five spoke in support of Medley.

But other residents who testified on behalf of A & R Marine said they have faith that the Rossi and Antaya families could do a better job because of their history on the island.

“If they have homes on the island or businesses on the island, they have at least as much at stake in having a ferry to the island,” said James Oswald, who owns a home on the island.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.